Nonlethal thermal-aerosol generator weapon

ABSTRACT

A weapon for producing a nonlethal, voluminous fog of tear gas or riot control agents or material for controlling one or more persons is provided with a two-cycle internal combustion engine that drives an air blower. A manifold is connected to the engine exhaust to cause the exhaust gases to turn at least 90*, and pass through a pipe to be discharged in the outlet opening of the blower. The liquid to be produced as a fog is drawn or injected into the manifold, and is vaporized by the hot exhaust gases. This vapor is discharged or drawn from the pipe by the air blown by the blower and further atomized to efficiently produce a dense, voluminous fog containing air, the vaporized and atomized liquid material, and the engine exhaust gases.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Forrest G. Scott P.0. Box 246, Auburn, 1nd. 46706 [21] Appl. No. 771,154 [22] Filed Oct. 28, 1968 [45] Patented Sept.2l,l97l

[54] NONLETHAL THERMAL-AEROSOL GENERATOR WEAPON 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. C1 252/359 A, 43/129 R, 239/129 R [51] 1nt.CI ..B01d,B01f BOlj 13/00,A01m 19/00 [50] Field ofSearch 252/3591; 43/129; 47/2; 239/4, 102, 337, 433, 434

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,611,992 9/1952 Loy et a1 43/129 2,886,249 5/1959 Sidlow... 239/129 X 2,926,455 3/1960 Morris 252/3591 X 2,926,855 3/1960 Durr et a1. 252/3591 X 3,161,985 12 1964 Fiskeetal 43/129 TO BLOWER EXHAUST Primary Examiner-Norman Yudkoff Assistant Examiner.l. Sofer Attorney-Jeffers and Rickert ABSTRACT: A weapon for producing a nonlethal, voluminous fog of tear gas or riot control agents or material for controlling one or more persons is provided with a two-cycle internal combustion engine that drives an air blower. A manifold is connected to the engine exhaust to cause the exhaust gases to turn at least 90, and pass through a pipe to be discharged in the outlet opening of the blower. The liquid to be produced as a fog is drawn or injected into the manifold, and is vaporized by the hot exhaust gases. This vapor is discharged or drawn from the pipe by the air blown by the blower and further atomized to efficiently produce a dense. voluminous fog containing air, the vaporized and atomized liquid material, and the engine exhaust gases.

PATENTEDSEP21 I97! 3501.780

SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTOR FORREST G. SCOTT ATTORNEYS PATENTEBSEPZI l9?! 3601780 SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTOR FORREST c. scoT ATTORNEYS PATENIEDSEP21 I9?! 3507; 780 sum 3 0F 4 INVENTOR FORREST G. SCOTT BYWM/MJ%7 ATTORNEYS PATENTEDSEPN I97! 3601780 SHEET l BF 4 EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO BLOWER EXHAUST {FROM TANK 5O F l G-; 5 INVENTOR FORREST G. SCOTT BY y ATTORNEY? NONLETHAL THERMAL-AEROSOL GENERATOR WEAPON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION My invention relates to an improved nonlethal thermalaerosol generator weapon, and particularly to an improved nonlethal, thermal-aerosol generator weapon that produces a voluminous fog of nonlethal material for controlling people in crowds, mobs, or riots.

At the present time, civil strife, civil disorder, and riots are relatively common. Such strife, disorder, and riots present governing authorities with tremendous problems, one of which is to control the strife, disorder or riots without permanently injuring or harming the persons involved, particularly innocent bystanders. Various chemicals, in the form of nonlethal liquids or gases, have been devised to render such persons temporarily helpless, incoherent, or otherwise incapacitated. However, one of the problems in using such chemicals has been the inability to disperse the chemicals in a large crowd with effectiveness. Small quantities of such chemicals have been dispersed from containers with air pressure, or by other pressurized or explosive means. However, where large crowds of persons are involved in a strife, disorder, or riot, such dispersion is relatively sparse and ineffective.

Accordingly, a main object of my invention is to provide an improved nonlethal thermal-aerosol generator weapon that produces a nonlethal, voluminous fog of tear gas, or riot control agent, or material for controlling people engaged in any type of strife, civil disorder, or riot situation.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved weapon that uses thermal-aerosol generating techniques to produce a voluminous fog of nonlethal material that is useful in crowd, mob, or riot situations.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved nonlethal, thermal-aerosol generator weapon that produces a nonlethal fog of tear gas or riot control agent or material for effectively controlling a large crowd of persons.

Typically, in a civil strife, civil disorder, or riot situation, the number of police or military personnel are relatively limited, and may be, and most likely are, far less than the number of people involved in the strife, disorder, or riot. Therefore, such police or military personnel should have very efficient, effective, and mobile weapons at their disposal.

Accordingly, another object of my invention is to provide a thermal-aerosol fogging weapon that is relatively small but highly efficient and effective.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable, self-contained, thermal-aerosol fog producing weapon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, these and other objects are achieved in accordance with my invention by a weapon having a base, on which a twocycle internal combustion engine is mounted. A squirrel cage air blower is mounted on the base and connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine. A manifold is connected to the engine output exhaust so that the exhaust gases must turn at least 90. The liquid or chemical material which is to be dispersed in a fog is supplied to the manifold by pressure, siphon-effect, or gravity flow feed, so that when the engine is operating, the liquid material is injected into the manifold or the hot exhaust gases draw the liquid material into the manifold where the liquid material is vaporized. The combined vaporized material and hot exhaust gases are discharged, exhausted, and directed by a pipe to the outlet opening of the blower. The air blown by the blower draws the vaporized material from the pipe in venturi fashion and further atomizes the material to produce a voluminous fog of air, vaporized and atomized chemical material, and exhaust gases which can be blown, discharged, or directed as desired with relative case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims. The structure and operation of my invention, together with further objects and advantages, may be better understood from the following description given in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a thermal-aerosol generator weapon in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the thermal-aerosol generator weapon of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view of the weapon of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4- 4 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3;

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of a preferred manifold used with the weapon of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4; and

FIG. 6 shows a view of the manifold looking in the direction ofthe line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, l have shown my improved weapon mounted on a suitable base 10 so that the weapon can be carried easily as a single unit. The base 10 may be provided with suitable feet, shock mounts, or cushions so that it can be set on any desired surface and not slide or move about when in operation. A two-cycle internal combustion engine 11 is mounted at one side of the base 10. The engine 11 is conventional, and has an operating piston (not visible) and cylinder 12, which may be provided with suitable cooling fins as shown. A gas container 13 is mounted beside the engine 11 for holding a supply of gasoline or other suitable fuel. A sparkplug (not visible) is mounted on the cylinder 12, the sparkplug being covered by a commercial radio shield or other similar device 14 to reduce radio interference. The sparkplug is also connected by a commercial radio-shielded wire 15 to a suitable ignition circuit (not visible). The sparkplug is also provided with a spring-type plunger 16 which, when operated, short circuits the sparkplug to stop the engine. When the plunger 16 is released, the engine 11 may be restarted when desired. THe engine II is started in any suitable means, such as by a handle 17 connected by a rope to the flywheel of the engine 11. I prefer a two-cycle engine because such an engine is relatively light in weight and operates efficiently at a much faster speed that a comparable four-cycle engine. The use of a two-cycle engine affords more B.t.u.s. of heat because of an exhaust stroke every revolution of engine operation. This is important in the initial vaporization. Higher engine speeds mean more heat and also higher velocity exhaust discharge.

A squirrel cage-type of blower 20 is mounted on the base 10 adjacent to the engine 11 so as to be driven by the output crankshaft 18 of the engine 11. The blower 20 is generally enclosed in a housing made of suitable sheet metal to form a chamber, such as shown in FIG. 4. This chamber has an air inlet opening 21 (indicated by a dashed line circle in FIG. 4 and positioned at the right of the blower 20 in FIG. 3) and an air outlet opening 22. Both the air inlet opening 21 and the air outlet opening 22 are preferably covered with a grill or screen to protect personnel from injury by the rotating elements. The blower 20 includes a circular rotor 23 which has a plurality of blades 24 for drawing air into the air inlet opening 21 as indicated by the arrow 25 in FIG. 3 and for discharging the air out of the air outlet opening 22 as indicated by one of the arrows 27. The rotor 23 is connected or mounted on a shaft for rotation, and this shaft is directly connected to or may be integral with the output shaft 18 of the engine 1 I. The chamber inside the blower 20 is preferably provided with a curved member 26 which is relatively close to the blower 23 at the left-hand side, and which gradually curves away from the blower 23 and terminates at the top of the chamber as shown in FIG. 4. The arrows 27 show the direction of air which is drawn into the blower 20 at the air inlet opening 21 and discharged or exhausted out at the air outlet opening 22 when the blower 20 and its rotor 23 rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4. Thus, when the engine 11 is operating, its output shaft l8 causes the rotor 23 to turn so that air is drawn in at the air inlet opening 21 and discharged at high velocity out of the air outlet opening 22. A carrying handle 28 may be attached to the blower 20 at the center of gravity of the weapon.

In accordance with my invention, the chemical or liquid which is to be produced in a fog is supplied from some suitable source or tank 50 preferably mounted on the rear of the blower 20. This tank 50 may or may not be under pressure. Pressure is preferred in order to start or facilitate the flow of the liquid, and to reduce contamination to personnel around the weapon because of fume or odor feedback from a vent in the tank 50 when used in the unpressurized form. The tank 50 may be held on the blower 20 by any suitable means, such as the resilient clamps or brackets 51 which are fastened to the blower 20 and which permit the tank 50 to be easily and quickly inserted and removedMeans are provided for connecting a supply pipe 30 to the tank 50 for using the chemical or liquid in the tank 50. These means may include a threaded nut 52 which mates with threads on the tank 50 to connect the interior of the tank 50 to the pipe 30 without loss or leakage of the chemical or liquid. If the tank 50 is under pressure, these means may include a self-sealing valve in the tank 50 and an appropriate mating piece in the nut 52 to unseal the tank 50 when the nut 52 is threaded on sufficiently far. Thus, an empty tank may be quickly removed and a full tank may be quickly inserted and connected without loss or leakage of the chemical or liquid, thus reducing the chance of the weapon or operating personnel being contaminated by the chemical or liquid. If an unpressurized tank is used, it must be vented to permit flow, and such venting increases the chances of contamination. The valve in the tank 50 may also be arranged to provide a predetermined constant flow rate, so that Operating personnel need not have to bother with setting the flow rate. The liquid from the tank 50 flows through the pipe 30 which is connected to a valve 31 on the base 10 of the weapon. The valve 31 may be a needle-type valve having a hand-operated wheel or knob. If the tank 50 has a constant flow rate valve, then the valve 31 may be a simple closed or full open-type of valve. A pipe 32 is connected between the valve 31 and a manifold 35 which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and which is shown in greater detail in FIGS. and 6. With respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, the manifold 35 is a closed steel structure having an inlet opening 36 which is positioned for direct communication with the exhaustoutlet of the engine 11. The manifold 35 is securely bolted to the engine structure or cylinder 12 by any suitable means, such as the bolts shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. The manifold exhaust gas inlet opening 36 is connected by a passageway 37 to a manifold exhaust gas outlet opening 38. In FIG. 6, it will be seen that the engine exhaust gases moving in the direction shown by the arrow 39 are forced to turn at least 90 between the inlet opening 36 and the outlet opening 38. l have found that this turn of 90 provides more residual B.t.u.s of heat buildup or reserve, and facilitates better mixing and vaporization of the chemical liquid to be introduced and produced as a fog. The pipe 32 is connected to the manifold 35 at a suitable injection or inlet opening 40 which is positioned in the passageway 37 near the outlet opening 38. The manifold outlet opening 38 is connected by a suitable pipe 43 to the blower air outlet opening 22. The pipe 43 is preferably a metallic pipe which is securely fastened and held to the manifold 35 at its outlet opening 38. The other end of the pipe 43 has an opening 44 positioned substantially near the bottom of the blower air outlet opening 22. This other end of the pipe 43 may be held to the air outlet opening 22 by the threaded nuts shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, or may simply be self-supporting and extend slightly into and through air outlet opening 22.

When the engine 11 is operating so that the blower 20 is also rotating, the liquid chemical material to be introduced as a fog is admitted into the manifold 35. In the manifold 35, the hot exhaust gases from the engine 11 are traveling with high velocity through the passageway 37 and draw the liquid into the passage 37 by a vacuum or suction effect. The-liquid may also be introduced under pressure as should be the case because of vent feedback contamination on unpressurized containers. These hot exhaust gases mix with and vaporize the liquid, and are forced by the exhaust pressure through the pipe 43 and out of the pipe opening 44. The high-velocity air being blown out of the air outlet opening 22 produces a vacuum or suction effect also known as a venturi or aspirator effect at the opening 44, and draws the mixture of exhaust gases and vaporized liquid out of the pipe 43, and further atomizes the fog product. A vaporized and atomized fog having air, fine particles of the vaporized and atomized liquid, and the engine exhaust gases is produced, and is discharged and directed with high velocity in any direction, depending upon the orientation of the air outlet opening 22.

The weapon as thus described is a relatively compact, selfcontained, light device that is very efficient and effective in producing a fog, and discharging and directing the fog in any desired direction. When the weapon is used, and oil-soluble chemical having the desired properties is mixed with a light, fuel oil-type petroleum distillate. This mixture is then placed in a container. The container is preferably pressurized to facilitate flow of the liquid mixture into the weapon so as to eliminate vent feedback contamination, and/or to simulate a gravity-type flow rate or system, while at the same time maintaining a very low vertical height. The liquid mixture may be given a calibrated rate of flow through the valve 31, which may be a micrometering needle-type valve having a precision adjustment and/or a calibrated dial. The liquid is drawn or in jected into the manifold 35 by the operation of the engine 11. It is preferable that the engine 11 be operated and at a normal operating temperature in order to provide a better and improved mixing of the liquid with the hot engine exhaust gases. The manifold 35 deflects the engine exhaust sharply at This deflection permits the exhaust gases to pass out without restriction and back pressure to the engine, but tends to build up, sustain and localize a sufficient amount of B.t.u.s. of heat so that better vaporizing and atomizing of the liquid results. After the liquid is vaporized and atomized in he engine exhaust gases, a hot and relatively dense fog is produced in the pipe 43. This dense fog is directed through the pipe 43 without restriction to the pipe opening 44. The pipe opening 44 preferably opens in an upward direction in the blower outlet opening 22. The passage of air over the pipe opening 44 creates a venturi or aspirating effect, and pulls or sucks this dense fog out of the pipe 43 so that there is no engine back pressure, even when the liquid is being injected into the manifold 35.

After the engine exhaust gases and fog product have been drawn out of the pipe opening 44, they enter into and are subjected to the turbulent air stream from the air outlet opening 22. This fog product is further atomized by the direct relationship of the positioning of the opening 44 of the pipe 43 in the air outlet opening 44. The fog particles at this point are very small (being measured in microns) as a result of the initial vaporizing effect in the manifold 35. These small particles are further atomized and reduced in size when subjected to the high-speed stream of air coming from the air outlet opening 22. As these fog particles and air stream leave the air outlet opening 22, they are subjected to a cooling operation or effect, because of the mixing of the hot vaporized and atomized fog particles in the cooler air stream. This cooling effect results in a fog which has a tendency to remain at the same elevation as the engine 11 or operating unit discharge level, for a much longer and more sustained period of time before being dissipated into the atmosphere. This fog product remains essentially a ground fog due to this type of operation.

The discharge of the total fog product is accomplished by my invention without any recirculation of the fog product into or within the internal structure or limits of the blower, so that there is no internal mixing of the total fog product with the incoming air which could be circulated in the blower. This is an important advantage, since it eliminates the possibility of internal or machine contamination by any residue of the liquid material that might otherwise by left in or recirculated within the blower. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, this residue material would contaminate the weapon, and would render the weapon useless or would necessitate the cleaning or decontamination of the weapon before it could be again used, or stored in close proximity to personnel.

Since the blower 20 produces a relatively high velocity of air at its air outlet opening 22, the total fog product is blown away from the weapon so as to eliminate any possibility of blow-back or area contamination in the proximity of the weapon. For a two-cycle, 2% horsepower internal combustion engine operating at 4,200 r.p.m. with a rotor 23 that is 6.25 inches in diameter and 4 inches in width, with an air inlet opening 21 that is 5 inches in diameter, and with an air outlet opening 22 that is 6 inches in diameter, the velocity of the air stream at the outlet opening 22 is approximately 7,000 feet per minute. This high velocity disperses the fog product over a large area and prevents contamination in the vicinity of the machine. The high velocity of the fog product gives it a good penetrating efiect, so that it is even, effective, and rapid in operation. Thus, the weapon is very efficient and effective, either in large crowds in an open area, or in areas where there are obstructions, such as bushes, grass, shrubbery, and trees, buildings, or the like.

The engine 11 used with my weapon serves as the power agent both for operating the blower 20 and for the heat source in vaporizing the liquid in the exhaust manifold 35. I prefer that the liquid to be dispersed be relatively light. A highly refined paraffin base liquid with relatively low sulfur and water content is preferred. Also, the liquid should have an open cup flash point that is higher than 140 F., but below 35020 F., since the exhaust manifold 35 vaporizes the liquid by means of its relatively high heat which is concentrated in the manifold at the bend. l have found that this construction provides good vaporization of the liquid material, so that it is thoroughly vaporized before it enters the pipe 43 and comes out of the opening 44. There is very little back pressure in the pipe 43, and this back pressure is further reduced by the suction, venturi, aspirating, or pull effect of air at the pipe opening 44. Thus, the operation of the engine 11 is improved,

because of the elimination of engine exhaust back pressure,

even when fluid material is being introduced or injected into the exhaust manifold.

While I have shown only one embodiment of my invention, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made. For example, various horsepower ratings of engines may be used, various engine speeds may be used, and various dimensions may be used for the exhaust manifold 35, the pipe 43, and for the blower 20. Also, various types of blowers, such as an axial vane blower, may be used. Therefore, while my invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An improved thermal-aerosol generator weapon that produces a nonlethal voluminous fog of riot control agent or material for controlling people, said weapon comprising:

a. a base;

b. a two-cycle, internal combustion engine mounted on said base, said engine having an output shaft and an output exhaust;

c. a blower mounted on said base near said engine, said blower having a chamber with an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, a shaft that is mounted for rotation in said chamber, and a rotor attached to said shaft to draw air into said air inlet opening and blow air out of said air outlet opening; t d. means connecting said engine output shaft to said rotor shaft to cause said rotor shaft and rotor to rotate and blow air out of said air outlet opening when said internal combustion engine is operated;

e. a pressurized source of nonlethal riot control agent;

f. a manifold having an exhaust gas inlet opening, and an exhaust gas outlet opening, said exhaust gas inlet opening and said exhaust gas outlet opening being connected to each other by a passageway having a bend of at least and a riot-control liquid-agent injection opening in said passageway closely adjacent said bend to utilize the heat generated in turbulence for vaporization of the agent, said opening directing the agent at substantially right angles to the passageway;

g. means fastening said manifold on said internal combustion engine so that said engine output exhaust communicates with said manifold exhaust gas inlet opening;

h. means connecting said source and said liquid injection opening;

i. and means connecting said manifold exhaust outlet opening to said blower air outlet opening at substantially right angles so that when said agent is supplied to said manifold liquid injection opening and when said internal combustion engine is operated, the hot exhaust gases of said internal combustion engine allow the flow of said agent into said passageway to mix with the gases and to form a vapor from said agent, and the air blown out of said blower outlet opening mixes with said formed vapor from said last mentioned connecting means, further atomizes said formed vapor and produces a voluminous fog of air, vaporized and atomized riot control agent, and internal combustion engine exhaust gases.

2. The improved weapon of claim 1 wherein said blower is a squirrel cage-type of blower.

3. The improved weapon of claim 1 wherein said means connecting said manifold exhaust gas outlet opening to said blower air outlet opening comprises a pipe connected at one end to said manifold exhaust gas outlet opening and comprises an end that opens vertically upward in said blower air outlet opening when said blower air flow is horizontal.

4. The improved weapon of claim 1 wherein said agent source comprises a removable pressurized container having but a single opening, said opening being provided with a selfsealing valve.

5. The improved weapon of claim 3 wherein said blower is a squirrel cage-type of blower and further comprising means connected to said liquid injection opening and adapted to be sealingly connected to a tank of said agent mounted on said weapon. 

2. The improved weapon of claim 1 wherein said blower is a squirrel cage-type of blower.
 3. The improved weapon of claim 1 wherein said means connecting said manifold exhaust gas outlet opening to said blower air outlet opening comprises a pipe connected at one end to said manifold exhaust gas outlet opening and comprises an end that opens vertically upward in said blower air outlet opening when said blower air flow is horizontal.
 4. The improved weapon of claim 1 wherein said agent source comprises a removable pressurized container having but a single opening, said opening being provided with a self-sealing valve.
 5. The improved weapon of claim 3 wherein said blower is a squirrel cage-type of blower and further comprising means connected to said liquid injection opening and adapted to be sealingly connected to a tank of said agent mounted on said weapon. 